26 Comments
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Stephan Kunze's avatar

Great list, though I do think calling Blue Monday house is a stretch. It’s definitely paved the way for house and techno, that’s for sure, so I understand the inclusion.

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Matt Fish's avatar

Thanks for reading and commenting Stephan. :) It’s definitely a borderline inclusion purely on genre categorization, but you can’t talk about dance music 12-inch records without mentioning “Blue Monday.”

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Jon's avatar

Just wanted to let you know that I absolutely loved your latest post about classic house music 12-inch records. Your thoughts on "Blue Monday" and "Strings of Life" were so interesting and engaging. The stories behind the tracks and your reflections made it a really fascinating read!

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Matt Fish's avatar

Thanks for checking it out, as always Jon. Your support is appreciated! 🙏

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Lora Smuts's avatar

Blue Monday (it's not not House) and Armand Van Helden!

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Matt Fish's avatar

Woot woot!

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Sarah Best's avatar

Now this is a playlist!

Particular favourites are... actually I can't choose.

However, I think Pete Heller Big Love should have an honourable mention. Is it house? Is it dance? It's just a great track.

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Matt Fish's avatar

I would agree with that, Sarah, a dynamite track indeed! Thanks for reading and commenting.

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The Twelve Inch (Disco/80s)'s avatar

Great list Matt but Blue Monday is not really House. It's not even close I think. I would've included "I Feel Love" by Donna Summer. Or Kraftwerk.

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Matt Fish's avatar

Interesting flip of “I Feel Love” as “more house” than “Blue Monday.” It’s sparked a potential post idea about genre itself and the baggage that comes with it. A fascinating discussion, possibly soon. Thanks for chiming in, as always 🙏👍

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Lora Smuts's avatar

I Feel Love is awesome...but perhaps would be on a classic disco music list?

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Matt Fish's avatar

Thanks for reading Lora. :) It could definitely be on either or genre-wise (part of what makes it so brilliant).

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Paul's avatar

Pacific State, Where Loves Lives & Strings of Life will forever remind me of dancing in & around Manchester in late 80s early 90s. I’d add Take Me Away by the Pin-Up Girls a great start to any night & Promised Land by Joe Smooth, all the best nights ended with this as the lights (annoyingly) came up.

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Matt Fish's avatar

Great minds think alike, Paul. Promised Land was the last track I cut from the list to get down to 12 😭 I felt bad doing it too but editing

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Paul's avatar

So difficult to pick 12!? Just Make That Move - Black Riot? Only Love Can Break Your Heart - Saint Etienne? There But For The Grace of God - Fire Island? Devotion & That’s The Way Love Is - Ten City? Good Life - Inner City? So many timeless classics

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Matt Fish's avatar

Did we just write part 2 in the comments? Haha 😆

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Paul's avatar

😂

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Dan Pal's avatar

I don't know a number of these choices but I've always loved "Blue Monday."

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Matt Fish's avatar

Hopefully you enjoy some of the new discoveries Dan. Thanks as always for your support 😁

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Steve Gabe's avatar

This is in my DJ 88 era wheelhouse! 🏠 I've got all the best of Chicago House tapes in the Vault! Jack the Rhythm through private stock Dimitri from Deeelite club mixes. But then it got very repetitive very quickly leaving the piano based tracks far behind to the techno know spinners of today. Possibly LCD Soundsystem not withstanding. Great post!

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Matt Fish's avatar

Count me as a Chicago house stan too Steve, thanks for reading and commenting.

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Tomerle's avatar

My jaws began clenching automatically when I hear Push the Feeling On.

An era defining anthem.

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Matt Fish's avatar

Thanks for reading! Absolutely an anthem to this day! :D

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Kevin Alexander's avatar

My fave on here is Blue Monday, but any list with 808 State on it is alright by me!

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Matt Fish's avatar

Check and check ✅✅

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Anne's avatar

Anything by Roy Davis Jr. Some of the house music you mention in your post are great tracks.

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